“Yeah. They told me not to contact you, they were going to. But then this morning they called and wanted me to ask if, well—would you like Harley?”
“Yes!” The word leaps from my mouth before I have a chance to digest what she’s saying. But of course I would. I do. Why wouldn’t I? “It’s a little obvious that we’re kind of made for each other, I think.”
“Right?” Felicity cackles on the other end. There is something about this woman that makes me think she and I could also be good friends. Or at least, I know a great pet sitter now who lives in the area. “That was my thought, but it’s still weird that they asked. They said since they’re moving, they’re worried it may not be best for her. Turns out she’s not been very warm and connected with them as a family. She sleeps outside when she’s with them and doesn’t like being around anyone at their house.”
All I can think about is how Harley likes to follow me from room to room, and even outside, like we’re attached. I’ve seen her do it with Austin as well. “That’s the exact opposite of when she’s here.”
“That’s what I told them. I think that helped them make the decision because it’s what’s best for Harley, you know?” There’s a rustling noise on her end of the phone, sounding like she’s moving. Probably busy walking dogs. “I’ll let them know I spoke to you. They’ll want to drop her things off to you, meet you and all that, if that’s okay?”
Shocked, but delighted, I agree to anything they need and hang up, jaw slack as I look at Georgie. “Looks like I’ve got a dog.”
She lets out a low whistle. “You’re a very busy lady out here at your mailboxes, aren’t you?”
“Who knew?” I say as I toss the phone in the dirt by my feet. When I look back up, my wait is finally being rewarded: I see an old beat-up station wagon barreling down the old road, going at least eighty miles an hour, making a beeline for our place.
Jared.
Gripping my mug, I look over at Georgie. “I cannot wait to see what he’s wearing today.”
“I hope it’s good. Like a lion costume or maybe a koala bear.”
You can’t wipe the smirk off my face as the wagon slows down, turns on its blinker, and pulls into the lane. Said smirk does begin to fall though once Jared exits the vehicle, cocking his head to one side and giving both Georgie and me a look like we’re aliens he’s found in the desert.
Turns out today isn’t a day that Jared is dressed up. Today is the day we get to meet normal Jared, not dressed up and not wearing any makeup Jared, who looks like he’s about twenty-nine years old, with blond hair that’s been bleached from too much time in the sun and a perfect set of teeth that he shows off with a giant, welcoming grin. While I’m slightly disappointed there is no strange dress-up vibe today, I’m now intrigued. More so than I was even yesterday.
“Hi?” he says, almost in a questioning manner. Guess it’s not every day you pull up to the mailboxes on your route and find a couple of women sitting and having coffee. “Are y’all like the welcoming committee?”
Out of the side of my eye, I can see Georgie’s mouth hanging open. Being the good friend I am, I lean over and gently close it using the tip of my pointer finger. I turn my attention back to Jared, who holds out a newspaper and a stack of mail for me.
“Nope, just enjoying the day,” I lie through my teeth.
“Okay.” He looks at Georgie, then back to me. “I guess…have a good day?”
“You guess right,” Georgie purrs as I kick her foot. Subtly is not my thing. When I see she’s still staring, I toss the newspaper at her.
His face twists as he gives us one last look over his shoulder before he hops back behind the wheel of his car, throws it in reverse, and takes off, leaving us in a trail of dust as he blazes away.
“So, Jared is cute,” Georgie says, cracking up. “Wow!”
“You’re too much,” I manage between giggles. “Please tell me you know someone single to set him up with?”
“I’ll find someone.” She laughs, bending over to swipe the newspaper, but she pauses. She looks over to me and points. “Did you see this?”
The headline screams“Local football star headed back to Tampa Bay?”and has two photos accompanying it: one of Austin, looking devilishly handsome, and the other from the day he was taken off the field in Charlotte on a stretcher.
I don’t have to hold the paper to get the gist. I know the gist. I’m living the gist.
I shrug. “That’s why I don’t want to talk about it.”
Georgie tosses the paper to the side and turns her chair so we’re facing one another. “You know, just because he’d be in Florida during training doesn’t mean you can’t have a relationship, right? People do long distance all the time these days. I know someone who made long distance work with a guy in New Zealand. They’re married now.”
“Sounds like an urban myth.”
“Pfft. I’ll get you her number. You can talk to her yourself.”
I shake my head. “I’ve got no time for miracles.”
“Yet you were just given a dog out of thin air.”
